Mangroves - a deciduous evergreen plants, settled on the tropical and subtropical coasts and adapted to life in conditions of constant ebbs and flows.They grow up to 15 meters and have a bizarre types of roots: stilted (lift the tree above the water) and respiratory (pneumatophores) sticking out of the soil like straws, and absorbing oxygen.
few plants would survive in salt water, but it does not apply to mangroves.They have developed filtering mechanisms.Water sucked their roots contain less than 0.1% salt.The remaining salt separates leaves through a special sheet metal forming white crystals on the surface.
land, which grow mangroves, always saturated with water, there is not enough oxygen.Under such conditions, anaerobic bacteria produce nitrogen, phosphates, iron, methane and sulfides m. G., Creating a peculiar smell trees.Missing roots of oxygen, as mentioned, absorb from the air and nutrients - from the soil.
The leaves of these plants - tough, leathery, succulent, bright green.Given the salinity of the soil and the lack of fresh water, they have adapted to the limited moisture loss.Leaves can adjust the degree of opening of the stomata, committing gas exchange in the process of photosynthesis, and turn to avoid the hot sun.
Mangroves grow zones, each of which is dominated by certain species.This is due to the frequency and duration of flooding, the nature of the substrate (sandy or silty), the ratio of marine and fresh water (in estuaries).Rhizophora occupy the front line with the blood-red wood, the color of which is determined by the high content of tannin.This species is submerged about 40% of the time.They are followed by Avicenna, lagulyarii and others.
How uncharacteristically self mangrove and fruits (seeds) of its unusual.They are covered with pneumatic fabric by which the ability to swim a certain time, if necessary, changing its density.Many mangroves - "viviparous."Their seeds are not separated from the tree grow.Seedling or moves inside the fruit, or the fruit through to the outside.By the time he was ready to branch independently powered by photosynthesis.
disconnect from the tree (usually during low tide), seedling falls and quickly fixed in the soil.Or carried away by water, perhaps at a distance.He is so tenacious that is capable of up to a year to wait for the opportune moment to root.
Mangroves serve as a refuge and habitat for many organisms.Algae, oysters, barnacles, sponges, bryozoans you need to attach something in filtering food.Many roots are excellent for this.Tropical fish, arthropods, snakes live in water from the root systems.The branches of the trees have settled hummingbirds, frigates, parrots, gulls and other birds.
Mangroves, quickly forming thickets protect the shore from erosion by the sea waves.They, advancing to the sea, win back his new sites.Densely intertwined roots hold caused silt, promoting drainage of the soil.The local population uses the reclaimed land, creating a plantation of coconut palms, citrus and other crops.
